Spotlight On

Spotlight On... AGC Helps St. Mary's

May 26, 2017 | Author: Meghan O'Connor

Columbia was proud to support and participate in the third annual volunteer event at St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children on Friday, May 19th. Organized by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts’ Construction Leadership Council, this event brought together upwards of 100 volunteers as well as support from over 50 companies to renovate and update the facility. St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children is a community center in Dorchester that offers several programs for women and children to develop skills that will be useful in creating successful and happy futures. On May 19th, volunteers from a wide variety of companies within the construction industry came together to dedicate their entire day to improving the building. Between the professional expertise, materials, and equipment provided, St. Mary’s saves over $250,000 each year in maintenance and repairs due to this event. This year, Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh was in attendance; he addressed the volunteers, thanking them and stating that “the best thing you did this week was being here today.”

Construction for a Good Cause

St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children provides several results-oriented programs focused on helping women and children build emotional, educational, and employment skills necessary to break the cycle of generational poverty and create bright futures. Women can enroll in a variety of classes that provide instruction on subjects ranging from high school curriculum to parenting and job skills. The center also provides housing for many young mothers and their children as they work towards moving into their own homes. Leading up to the volunteer event, AGC members had several meetings with St. Mary’s staff in order to identify where help was needed and how volunteers could best be of assistance. The pro-bono labor provided at the event allows St. Mary’s to direct more of their resources and funds to their great programs.

Columbia’s team of volunteers was led by Jared Crowley, an AGC Construction Leadership Council committee member, who participated in the planning process necessary to coordinate such a large event. Mike Ausevich, Brittany Boilard, Toni Dupell, Kayla Gendreau and Sarah Neff all represented Columbia at the event as well, donating their time and energy to the worthy cause. Volunteers installed new carpeting, built new walls, painted walls and speedbumps, repaired fencing, landscaped, and patched the roof, among other tasks. Columbia appreciated the opportunity to give back to the community and contribute to such a great organization. If you would like to donate to St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, click here!

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